Dan Casey is The Roanoke Times' metro columnist.

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Dan Casey

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Fans of the long-running local soap opera "As the Amphitheater Turns" may be feeling some withdrawal pangs these days.

They shouldn't fret one bit.

After nine years, two lawsuits, 12 studies, three locations and more flip-flops than a beach on a hot August weekend, the curtain isn't even close to falling on this Roanoke political drama.

The council's 4-2 vote on July 20 to drop the project merely put it on hold.

The vampire Barnabas Collins from "Dark Shadows" has retreated to his casket but will be back, you could say. The cast of "General Hospital" has gone on summer break. They will return.

For those who have missed the most recent episodes, here's a brief synopsis:

n In June 2007, doctor/restaurateur and Councilman David Trinkle forged a political marriage with colleagues Gwen Mason, Alfred Dowe and Mayor Nelson Harris. They won approval for locating the amphitheater near the Roanoke River. But that polygamous union proved very short-lived.

n In February 2008, Dowe cut himself from the cast amid allegations he had two-timed the city and state for travel reimbursements. The council selected former school board member Alvin Nash as an understudy.

n In May 2008, former Mayor David Bowers, an Elmwood Park amphitheater supporter, resurrected himself from the political dead by vanquishing Harris in the city mayoral race. The following September, the council resurrected the Elmwood Park amphitheater idea, too.

n In February, Nash bolted the show after a conflict-of-interest controversy. In March, Mason announced she would run for the House of Delegates to replace retiring Del. William Fralin.

n In April, (surprise!) the latest consultant recommended Elmwood Park as the amphitheater location. And on July 6, Mason, Trinkle, Bowers, Vice Mayor Sherman Lea and Councilmen Court Rosen and Rupert Cutler voted informally to continue with the project.

n By July 20, however, Mason, Rosen and Lea had some serious changes of heart. While Trinkle was offstage on vacation, they jumped into the arms of Councilwoman Anita Price and removed the project from the city's five-year capital plan. That left a disappointed Bowers actually sounding statesmanlike.

n On Friday, Downtown Roanoke Inc. and the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce (which pumped $11,500 in contributions into Rosen's 2008 council campaign) strongly urged the council to reconsider its vote and put the project back into the five-year plan.

Letting the show end now could create some serious repercussions. For example, it would deprive Salem residents, whose government operates with Mussolini-like efficiency, of a legitimate reason to feel superior to Roanoke.

For that and some other reasons there's no shortage of action to come. You can almost hear the melodramatic tone of the announcer at the end of that old "Batman" television serial:

Will Mason's amphitheater defection position her as a fiscally responsible Democrat heading into November's General Assembly elections?

Will Trinkle's hard feelings over her about-face help erode her strong support among Democrats?

Will Bill Cleaveland, Mason's GOP opponent in the House race, suggest voters can't trust her?

And if Mason wins and heads off to Richmond, who will succeed her? Will that person be pro-amphitheater or not?

As you can see, the fat lady hasn't even begun her tune.

So grab some popcorn and check your council schedule.

The fun is only beginning.